The LA Galaxy announced on Tuesday that they will face English giants Manchester United this summer in an international friendly at the Rose Bowl on July 23.
“We are excited to take on Manchester United at the Rose Bowl Stadium this summer,” said LA president Chris Klein in a statement. “We look forward to playing a storied club at a storied venue. As the top club in North America, it is important for us to play big games and bring big events to the city of Los Angeles.”
Manchester United are one of the world’s most recognized clubs with 20 English first-division titles, 11 FA Cup titles, three European Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup in their trophy case. The Red Devils are presently suffering through a difficult 2013-14 season, however, as Scottish manager David Moyes oversees a time of transition after Sir Alex Ferguson's long, illustrious tenure.
United are one of the eight remaining clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League and will meet defending champions Bayern Munich in the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday.
Moyes' squad boasts more than a dozen players who take part in this summer’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, including Mexican star Javier "Chicharito" Hernández, England international Wayne Rooney, the Netherlands’ Robin van Persie, Spanish international Juan Mata, Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Japan’s Shinji Kagawa.
“Playing LA Galaxy at the world-famous Rose Bowl Stadium will be an important part of the team’s preparations for the 2014-15 football season," said Manchester United managing director Richard Arnold in a statement. "The club has been visiting Los Angeles since 1950 and this match provides a great opportunity for us to engage with our fans in this region."
“The popularity of soccer in the US continues to strengthen, and Major League Soccer and LA Galaxy have been fundamental to this. Our previous matches against MLS opposition have proved popular with fans and players alike, and we are delighted to be returning to the US.”
United will also take part in the 2014 Guinness International Champions Cup this summer, including matches against AS Roma on July 26 in Denver, Inter Milan on July 29 in the Washington, D.C., suburbs and Real Madrid on August 2 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The tour marks the club's first visit to North America since 2011.
